- Written by Paul Seddon
- BBC News political reporter
image source, british parliament
Michael Gove named five groups that would be assessed against the government's new definition of extremism.
The community secretary told MPs that she was concerned about the “Islamist orientation” of the three organizations.
He also named two groups he claimed were promoting “neo-Nazi ideology.”
The new definition of extremism applies to groups promoting ideologies based on “violence, hatred and intolerance” but does not criminalize them.
Organizations determined to meet the new definition, whose names will be announced in the coming weeks, will be barred from receiving government funding or meeting with officials.
The definition has faced a backlash from civil liberties and community groups, with one of the groups mentioned by Mr Gove threatening legal action if it is included on the list.
The announcement of the new definition comes against a backdrop of rising communal tensions over the Israel-Hamas war and political controversy over the crackdown on pro-Palestinian marches in London.
The communities secretary said a list of organizations meeting the new definition would be drawn up after a “careful” consideration of the evidence and consultation with civil servants.
But speaking in the House of Commons, he said the British National Socialist Movement and Patriotic Alternative would have their work assessed against the new definition.
He said these groups were “promoting neo-Nazi ideology” and were “exactly the type of groups we should be concerned about.”
He also named the British Islamic Society, Cage and MEND as groups that “raise concerns about Islamist orientations and views”.
He added: “We will hold these and other organizations to account, assess whether they meet the definition of extremism, and take action where appropriate.”
He defined Islamism as a “totalitarian ideology” that calls for an “Islamic state governed by Sharia law” and should not be confused with Islam itself.
The new definition defines extremism as “the promotion or promotion of an ideology based on violence, hatred, or intolerance and aimed at:
1. Denying or destroying the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.or
2. Undermine, overturn or replace Britain's system of free parliamentary democracy and democratic rights.or
3. Deliberately create a permissive environment for others to achieve outcome (1) or (2).
MEND chief executive Azhar Qayyum said the group was “not extremist at all” and would take the government to court if it was listed as extremist.
He told the BBC that Mr Gove had “pulled names out of a hat” under legal protections given to MPs speaking in Parliament.
Former home secretary Robert Jenrick told the House of Commons that Mr Gove's definition was “well-intentioned, but it is not the domain of people”.
He said the bill would not do enough to “counter true extremism” and would not do enough to protect those “simply expressing paradoxical views.” He said he was concerned that this might happen.
Fellow Conservative MP Mariam Cates said “gender-critical feminists” could be labeled as extremists and end up with “ruthless speech from people with perfectly legitimate and harmless views”. Stated.
Groups and individuals labeled as extremists have the right to seek reassessment and submit new evidence for review.
If you still disagree, you can challenge the government's decision through a judicial review of the decision.
Unlike terrorist groups, organizations and individuals added to the list are not considered criminal.
Parallel to the redefinition, a new division, the Counter-Extremism Center of Excellence, was established to collect intelligence and identify extremist groups.
